FILM crews from the BBC's flagship religious programme Songs of Praise will be at Blackburn Cathedral tonight to film the programme's Advent Sunday broadcast on December 1.

It is the first time the show has been to the cathedral to record and it is being presented by the British triple-jumper Jonathan Edwards. An evangelical Christian, Jonathan leapt to fame in 1995 at the World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg where he broke the world record in winning the gold medal.

At the Sydney Olympics in 2000 he won also won gold and he retired earlier this year.

Canon Andrew Hindley said no seats were left for the event with 1,200 people booked to come and 500 on the waiting list.

He said: "They've been to other churches in the area but it will be the first time they've been to the cathedral so we're delighted.

"I've met Jonathan a couple of times before and he's great guy."